Chapter 740: Rumors |
The Han Kingdom was facing trouble. Jin Jue could not break through the Yan Kingdom's defenses. The Zhao Kingdom was not in a hurry to attack the Yan Kingdom, and for now, they were content with Qingzhou. They had promised to attack along the entire front, but were in no rush. In the end, everyone was just preparing for now.
How long would they continue preparing? Everyone was massing troops!
“Still no troops dispatched? What is Jin Jue planning?”
Upon receiving news of the situation, Wu Gun Lin flew into a rage, and he roared at the representatives of the three sects of the Han Kingdom.
Indeed, he had easily routed Luo Zhao's scattered forces, inflicting heavy damage upon Luo Zhao and seizing his provisions.
However, Luo Zhao still commanded over two million warriors, and even though his forces were depleted, it was impossible to annihilate all his troops. Thus, the majority of Luo Zhao's warriors had survived. Now, he had received such news.
They had recently dealt a heavy blow to the Song Kingdom, and now he hoped that Jin Jue would also strike at the Song Kingdom.
Now, Jin Jue was reacting slowly, and once Luo Zhao's warriors replenished themselves and ate their fill, then Luo Zhao's forces would surpass his own. Then it would be Luo Zhao's turn to settle scores with him.
If Luo Zhao managed to kill him, it would be strange for Luo Zhao to let him go. How could Wu Gun Lin not be furious now?
An elder from the Unsurpassed Palace sighed, saying: “The Zhao Kingdom is not keeping its word, and for now, they are not deploying troops. That’s why Jin Jue is tied down by the Yan Kingdom’s northern forces. We need to wait.”
“Keeping their word? What is Jin Jue thinking? Amidst the struggle between kingdoms, what talk can there be of keeping one's word? Without considering the consequences, how can one be swayed by mere words? Luo Zhao will soon regain his strength in the Song Kingdom. If Jin Jue doesn't want to advance, then if I were the Emperor of the Han Kingdom, I'd chop off his head. Why just stand there now?!” Wu Gun Lin could no longer hold back and began to curse in front of everyone.
Cao Yong Yu from the River Valley Sect said sternly: “General, calm yourself. Enraging Jin Jue will lead to no good.”
“Me? Am I afraid of him or something? Who is he?!” Wu Gun Lin turned and pointed at the map: “After leaving Cangzhou, I stirred up chaos in the Yan Kingdom. Now I've routed the Song Kingdom’s army. Look, I’ve even penetrated deep into the Song Kingdom. From the Yan Kingdom all the way to the Song Kingdom. You yourselves look and compare. What has Jin Jue been doing? Has he tucked his head into his shell like a turtle? How long will he stand there before the Yan Kingdom? Can’t he even defeat Shao Deng Yun yet? And this is the Han Kingdom’s Minister of Military Affairs?!”
He turned his head and, looking at everyone, said: “Perhaps you can relay a message to the Emperor of the Han Kingdom. Let them transfer the position of Minister of Military Affairs to me. Let them give the Han Kingdom’s warriors under my command. And within three months, I will conquer the Song Kingdom for you. If not, I’ll present my own head!”
Cao Yong Yu: “They will dispatch troops soon. Don't go to extremes.”
Wu Gun Lin: “Alright! I’m not going to extremes. We are talking about the present right now. I’ve crushed half of the Song Kingdom, only the other half remains. Whether it’s Jin Jue or me, the task is the same. Fine, his rank is higher, I won’t contend with him for merit. I only wish for fair compensation. My brothers and I are fighting for the Han Kingdom. From the Yan Kingdom, we reached the Song Kingdom. How great a merit is that? How large a territory have you prepared for me?”
Xiang Tian Guang said gravely: “If Jin Jue hadn't held back a million Song Kingdom warriors in the north, what would you have achieved? What is due to you, you shall receive. Don’t get ahead of yourself!”
“Ping Ping, wife, did you hear? They're saying your husband is useless. But I am, after all, the son-in-law of the Heavenly Maiden Doctrine!” Wu Gun Lin shouted at Hui Qing Ping, then turned his head and yelled at Qi Bi San: “Elder Qi, I am still the son-in-law of the Heavenly Maiden Doctrine. I am fighting for the interests of the Heavenly Maiden Doctrine. I shattered half the Song Kingdom for you. Now, all Jin Jue has to do is go and take it. Shouldn't we take what belongs to us?!”
He waved his hand: “Just fairness! If, at this moment, the Heavenly Maiden Doctrine continues to use its soft power and doesn't assert itself, then I will truly believe that the Heavenly Maiden Doctrine is just a bunch of women who should have been married off long ago, so they could experience the joy of relations between men and women. I can make women happy. Elder Qi, I have an interest in you too. You marry me. You’ll be of the same rank as Ping Ping. And invite your sisters along. I’ll satisfy all of you!”
“Shut your mouth!” Hui Qing Ping furiously cried out. This scoundrel dared to say such things in front of them. She could no longer endure it.
“What nonsense are you spouting, you imbecile!” Qi Bi San also became enraged.
He clearly wanted to sow discord among them. Was he tired of living? Cao Yong Yu was also angry.
Xiang Tian Guang said in a cold tone: “Dare to spout one more word of nonsense, and I’ll tear your mouth apart!”
“Haha, a bunch of imbeciles. Fine. If you don’t like listening, then don’t listen. I just speak whatever’s on my mind. I shattered the Song Kingdom. And it’s all for Jin Jue! We’re leaving.” Wu Gun Lin beckoned Dan Dong Xing to him and departed.
Dan Dong Xing followed him, for he saw what Wu Gun Lin was hinting at.
He had said unpleasant things, and even cursed at Qi Bi San. Only after calming down did she analyze that although this fellow spoke offensively, there was a grain of truth in his nonsense.
Seeing her reaction, Qi Bi San said: “This scoundrel wants to drive a wedge between us. He claims it’s for the sake of the Heavenly Maiden Doctrine, but in reality, he wants to carve out more territory for himself.”
Qi Bi San’s eyes glinted...
Wu Gun Lin wasn’t concerned with what they were thinking. On the contrary, he seized the opportunity to summon his commanders and marched his troops out!
Wu Gun Lin ordered his detachments to scatter in all directions and spread rumors. He proclaimed that Luo Zhao was defeated, and that the Song Kingdom was finished. He instructed the common people of the Song Kingdom to return.
He stated that there was still military turmoil in the north of the Song Kingdom, but that he could provide safety and sustenance in the south. There were lands and food here, and whoever arrived earlier would receive more land.
He didn’t care whether the peasants had anything on hand or not. Let them come first.
What was even more outrageous was that he dared to spread rumors that after the Song Kingdom’s defeat, he would become the Emperor of the Song Kingdom and that he would appoint new officials in the new kingdom.
What was strange was that he already had a group of peasants he was keeping alive.
Wu Gun Lin ordered his men to escort them to an empty fortress behind his army, and he locked them in there. He appointed a scholarly official as the county magistrate, left a few cultivators from the Tongxiang Palace and also supplied them with provisions, and he ordered the peasants to cultivate the land.
In any case, there weren't many peasants, and it didn't affect his provisions.
Wu Gun Lin’s actions left Dan Dong Xing speechless. He merely smiled bitterly.
Everyone knew that Wu Gun Lin was merely a puppet of the Han Kingdom. Everyone knew he was spouting nonsense. Yet no one paid him any mind. They simply watched him amuse himself. However, no matter how many outlandish things this fellow said, many of them eventually became reality.
Inside the Han Kingdom’s Imperial Palace. Within the library. Emperor Ne Ren Ting sat at a table, examining documents.
He was very young. He was no more than thirty years old. He was the youngest among the seven emperors. He had been emperor since he was ten.
Jin Jue quickly entered and politely greeted: “Your subject, Jin Jue, greets Your Majesty!”
After receiving news from the front lines, the Emperor ordered Jin Jue to return and report. It was inconvenient to communicate through letters.
“Minister of Military Affairs. There’s no need for formalities.” Ne Ren Ting set aside his brush, stood up from his table. He approached Jin Jue: “The Minister of Military Affairs has worked diligently on the front lines.”
Jin Jue clasped his hands: “This old servant does not deserve such praise!”
Ne Ren Ting patted his arm: “There are no outsiders here, Minister, no need for formalities. The former emperor constantly said on his deathbed: As long as the Minister of Military Affairs is here, our kingdom is safe. Even if we cannot advance for now, our Han Kingdom remains untouched. Why be so modest?”
Jin Jue shook his head: “Your Majesty’s praise is undeserved. This old servant dares not accept it.”
Ne Ren Ting: “Alright, let’s get down to business. What are your thoughts now, Minister of Military Affairs? How should we resolve the current issue?”
Jin Jue: “On my way here, this old servant has already devised a strategy!”
“Mm!” A glint appeared in Ne Ren Ting’s eyes: “Please speak, Minister of Military Affairs, we are listening!”
Jin Jue: “There are two important figures in the Zhao Kingdom! Grand Marshal Pan Teng has long harbored the desire to wash away the disgrace from the Yan Kingdom. The bowstring is already drawn tight for him. And Emperor Hai Wu Ji: Qingzhou has constantly been a headache for him. And now, even though he has taken Qingzhou, the people of Qingzhou and a person important to him are in the Southern Domain. Thus, he remains unsettled. The Zhao Kingdom’s troops are gathered at the Yan Kingdom’s borders, and they are contemplating whether to advance or not. Your Majesty can give them a push!”
Ne Ren Ting asked with interest: “How?”
Jin Jue: “Your Majesty can secretly send people to the Southern Domain and spread rumors in the name of Hai Ru Yue: That she has sworn an oath to heaven to reclaim Qingzhou!”
Ne Ren Ting said doubtfully: “Just like that?”
Jin Jue smiled: “Just like that! Once the rumor spreads, it doesn’t matter if it’s true or not. It will most likely push Hai Wu Ji to attack the Southern Domain!”
It wouldn't hurt to try, so Ne Ren Ting followed Jin Jue’s advice. He secretly sent people to the Southern Domain to spread the rumors.
As soon as the rumors spread, Hai Wu Ji immediately convened a council and issued a decree, ordering the Southern Domain to hand over the people of Qingzhou within three days. If they were not handed over, they would attack the Southern Domain!
The Southern Domain replied that the people of Qingzhou were unwilling to leave.
And as soon as the three days passed, the Zhao Kingdom, without waiting for the desired response, began its attack. Grand Marshal Pan Teng, leading a massive army, began to advance on the Southern Domain.
And the Southern Domain, together with the people of Qingzhou, began to resist the enemy!